Assessment and analysis of software security flaws

ABSTRACT

Security assessment and vulnerability testing of software applications is performed based at least in part on application metadata in order to determine an appropriate assurance level and associated test plan that includes multiple types of analysis. Steps from each test are combined into a “custom” or “application-specific” workflow, and the results of each test may then be correlated with other results to identify potential vulnerabilities and/or faults.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefits of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/901,874, filed on Feb. 16, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the identification of flaws in software programs.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, many companies and government agencies have been exposed to negative press and legal proceedings due to high-profile security breaches in which sensitive data has been either inadvertently disclosed or stolen. While many of these incidents were the result of human error, a significant percentage was traced back to poorly designed software architecture and/or applications. Conventional techniques for testing software applications can identify many vulnerabilities, but no one methodology is failsafe. Furthermore, although many security-analysis techniques require significant time and resources to administer, not every application necessitates the same level or degree of analysis.

As a result, companies face a difficult trade-off between the desire to test software and limitations on available resources and time. Moreover, many companies do not have the expertise to apply some of the more intricate and complex security assessment techniques, and thus look to industry experts for such services. This creates yet another challenge, in that often what is being tested is highly sensitive, proprietary software. Companies are eager to have these applications tested using the most effective methods, but are also reluctant to grant others access to key software assets. What is needed, therefore, is a security assessment platform that permits an outside team to design and execute custom software-security assessments against varying types of applications, and to perform an analysis that is responsive to evolving threats, does not interfere with the execution of the application, and does not threaten the proprietary nature of an application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present invention facilitates security assessment and vulnerability testing of software applications in a manner responsive to the technical characteristics and the business context in which the application operates (collectively, “application metadata”). The invention may, for example, determine an appropriate assurance level and test plan to attain it. In many instances, a test plan may dictate performance of different types of analyses. In such cases, the individual tasks of each test are combined into a “custom” or “application-specific” workflow, and the results of each test may be correlated with other results to identify a wide range of potential vulnerabilities and/or faults that are detected by the different tests. As such, a programmer reviewing the results can better understand how different potential vulnerabilities may relate to each other or in fact be caused by a common flaw.

Furthermore, once an application is deployed, the universe of threats that may impact the application continues to expand, and therefore the platform preferably provides the infrastructure and methods for continuous, periodic or event-triggered application assessments, even as the application operates in a secure production environment. Application users and/or owners may also simultaneously view both the application “infrastructure” (e.g., source code, architectural components, object code abstractions, user case diagrams, UML diagrams, and/or website maps) as it exists in their operational environments and the results of the periodic security assessments, which can remain stored within the analysis platform. For example, in one implementation, the analysis platform runs on a server accessible to the application user via the Internet. The server periodically uploads (or otherwise accesses) the application, performs a security analysis, and alerts the user to the results. Application owners and/or users may access the results of this and previous assessments, which are stored on (or retrievable by) the server.

Accumulating both application-specific metadata and security analysis and assessment results for numerous applications from many companies facilitates benchmarking of applications against other applications at many levels within an organization. Use of various “anonymizing” and “scrubbing” techniques (i.e., removing any information that could be deemed proprietary and/or identify an application's user or owner) permits the sharing of assessment data among otherwise unrelated entities. Benchmarking may take place on a global scale (i.e., across all applications being monitored), within particular subsets of applications (e.g., those from a specific industry and/or working with a specific technology), or based on personnel (e.g., for a particular developer, team, organization or company).

Therefore, in one aspect, the invention provides a method for assessing vulnerabilities of software applications. A plurality of software assessment testing engines are provided, each engine being configured to perform vulnerability tests on a software application. Metadata related to the application, such as technical characteristics (e.g., source code, binary code, URLs, user names, passwords, APIs, application data, etc.) and business context information relating to the architecture and deployment software application are received, and based thereon, an assurance recommendation is provided. The method further includes defining a vulnerability test plan including multiple vulnerability tests based on the preferred assurance level.

In some embodiments, the vulnerability tests are executed and their results correlated to facilitate their review within the context and/or portion of the application in which flaws or vulnerabilities were found. In some cases, the execution may be repeated as indications of new threats or updates to the application are received. The results may be stored in a database for subsequent review, analysis and/or reporting. In some implementations, access to the test results may be limited to specific users based on authentication credentials or other identification techniques. Further, information that may be used to identify the source or other confidential details of the software application may be removed or obfuscated (e.g., encrypted) to allow the test results to be shared among many users for benchmarking purposes. In implementations in which the test results and/or the application code itself is transmitted over public networks (e.g., the Internet), digital rights management techniques may be used to ensure that only those with proper authority can view the test results.

In another aspect, the invention provides a security assessment platform. In some embodiments, the platform includes a communications server for receiving technical characteristics and business-context information relating to a software application and testing engines for performing a plurality of vulnerability tests thereon. The platform may also include a testing workflow module for defining an assurance level for the application based on the technical characteristics and business-context information; defining a vulnerability test plan that includes multiple vulnerability tests based on the assurance level; and correlating the results of vulnerability tests to identify related faults in the application.

The platform may, in some instances, include a database module for storing the results of the tests, as well as application information. The platform may also include a benchmark and reporting module for removing proprietary information from the results of the vulnerability tests and providing statistical reporting of the results of the vulnerability tests in comparison to other software applications, other developers and/or other companies. In some cases, an abstraction layer may be used to generalize how application information is presented to and/or received from the testing engines.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following drawings, detailed description, and claims, all of which illustrate the principles of the invention, by way of example only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a software assessment and testing domain according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed diagram of a software analysis engine according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting steps performed in developing a software analysis and testing workflow according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting steps performed in developing a software analysis and test report according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting steps performed in defining and loading a software application for analysis and testing according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting steps performed in performing periodic software application analysis and testing according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart depicting steps performed in identifying and presenting flaws in software applications.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart depicting steps performed in accumulating results from multiple software application analyses and tests according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart depicting steps performed in providing software analysis and testing benchmarks according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart depicting steps performed in securely submitting software applications for analysis and testing according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart depicting steps performed in securely viewing software application analysis and testing results according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Architecture and Approach

The techniques and supporting systems described herein provide a comprehensive and customizable approach to detecting security flaws in software applications, recommending remedial courses of action, and reporting and benchmarking against, for example, industry-wide statistics, other developers and/or other development teams from within or outside of an organization. Software applications may include (but are not necessarily limited to) any sort of instructions for a machine, including, for example, without limitation, a component, a class, a library, an script, an applet, a logic table, a data block, or any combination or collection of one or more of any one or more of these. An appropriate level, type and frequency of security analysis needed for a software application may depend on many factors, including (but not necessarily limited to) the technical details of an application (e.g., the language in which it is written and the platform on which is to be deployed) as well as the business context in which the application operates. For example, an application that is “customer-facing” and facilitates high-volume, secure transactions such as banking or ecommerce will require rigorous testing to ensure that customer data is not jeopardized. Conversely, applications such as document-control systems or desktop applications that are implemented entirely within an organization and operated behind secure firewalls require less stringent testing. Therefore, balancing the added costs for executing additional security assessments and testing with the risks of potential for losses is critical

FIG. 1 illustrates, in a broad overview, a representative security assessment platform 105 for implementing the techniques described herein. The platform 105 receives and reports on software applications 110 from multiple entities, while monitoring numerous sources 115 of external threats for up-to-date libraries of malware and application and environmental vulnerabilities. The platform 105 includes a communications server 120 and an analysis engine 125. The communications server 120 provides the conduit through which the platform interacts with external systems. For example, the communications server 120 may utilize conventional data-communications protocols such as TCP/IP, HTTP and others to query application servers for updated application programs, download updated programs, post analysis results, and send and receive messages from users. More specifically, in a server-based implementation, the communications server 120 may act as an interface between the platform 105 and external entities that submit software applications for assessment or review assessment results. In addition, the communications server 120 may act as a conduit through which other external data such as updated threat information (in the form of malware definition files, for example) are received for storage in the security threat database 150. In some implementations, the security assessment platform 105 may be configured as a distributed platform, in which one or more components (e.g., testing modules, threat-assessment agents, secure communication devices, databases, etc.) are duplicated and/or distributed among multiple computers located remotely from each other but, for example, co-located with users of the platform. Examples of communications server application platforms providing such features include the Apache HTTP Web Server supplied by the Apache Software Foundation and the WebSphere HTTP Server supplied by IBM Corporation.

The analysis engine 125 receives application code and programs from users, either via the entity operating the platform 105 or directly from customers using the platform 105 as a subscription service. The analysis engine 125 interacts with various testing engines and code review modules, as well with assessment and threat databases, and includes benchmarking and reporting capabilities for comparing assessment results among applications, developers, teams and/or organizations. In one embodiment, for example, the analysis engine 125 interacts with a dynamic testing engine 130, a static testing engine 135, a pen testing engine 140 and a module for performing manual code review 145.

More specifically, the dynamic analysis engine 130 interacts with the application 110 as an external entity and executes the application 10 in a manner that mirrors or emulates the runtime environment in which it operates. In some embodiments, the dynamic analysis engine 130 receives a description of the interfaces to the application 110, sends test and/or simulation data to the application via the interfaces, and analyzes the received responses. The test data may be application-specific (e.g., provided with the application as a library, data file, or structured input) or application-agnostic, such as data and/or scripts known to exploit application vulnerabilities. Based on the responses, the dynamic analysis engine 130 determines whether any security defects exist in the application 110 and the extent to which it may be vulnerable to certain threats. The defects may be reported in real-time (e.g., via the communications server 120) and/or stored in a database for subsequent analysis and reporting.

The static analysis engine 135 receives a binary or bytecode version of the application 110 as input. For example, a high-level semantic model of the application 10 is created containing control-flow and data-flow graphs of the application 110, and this model then analyzed for quality defects, including security flaws, by a set of analysis scans.

The pen testing engine 140 performs penetration testing of the application 110. Penetration testing includes, for example, simulating and analyzing various web-based interactions between a client and the server on which the application 110 operates. This includes executing standard HTTP commands such as GET and POST, analyzing FORM elements and scripting elements (both client and server-side), and manipulating inputs to elicit known vulnerabilities.

The analysis engine 125 may also receive input from manual review processes executed using a manual code review module 145. Manual review processes typically include a human operator visually reviewing source code to determine if proper coding form and standards have been followed, and looking for “extra” functions often left in applications such as trap doors, easter eggs, and similar undocumented functionality.

The data, scripts and functions used to operate the various testing engines and the analysis engine 125 may be stored in a security-threat database 150. The database 150 may be operated as a stand-alone server or as part of the same physical server on which the analysis engine 125 operates. Portions of the threat database 150 may, in some cases, be provided by entities other than the entity operating the platform 105 on a subscription basis, allowing the database 150 to be kept up to date as threats and malware evolve over time. Likewise, the results of each test and the overall analysis process may be stored in an assessment-results database 155. In some embodiments, the applications and analysis results are stored in an encrypted format using a unique key provided to the owner of the analyzed application 110 such that only it can access and review the results of the analysis. In such cases, decryption of the analysis is limited to authorized personnel and all traces of the analysis are deleted from memory (other than the database 155) following completion.

Examples of database applications that may provide the necessary features and services include the MySQL Database Server by Sun Microsystems, the PostgreSQL Database Server by the PostgreSQL Global Development Group of Berkeley, Calif., or the ORACLE Database Server offered by ORACLE Corp. of Redwood Shores, Calif.

FIG. 2 illustrates, in greater detail, the analysis engine 125 and its various components. In one embodiment, the analysis engine 125 includes an assurance recommendation engine 205, a workflow constructor 210, a stimulus analysis evaluation engine 215 and a workflow engine 220. Each of these components (described in greater detail below) interacts with the various testing engines 130-145 and executes various processes in accordance with an application-specific testing workflow, which is defined by an assessment correlation engine 225. Results from the analysis and testing are provided to a grading and reporting engine 230, which includes a benchmark engine 235, an anonymizer 240 and a flaw viewer 245. In some embodiments, such as those where the analysis and testing services are provided remotely and/or via a web-based subscription service requiring transmission of application components and results over public networks (i.e., the Internet), a digital rights management packager 250 and engine 255 may be used to encrypt the application and analysis results.

More specifically, the assurance recommendation engine 205 receives applications and application metadata and automatically determines various characteristics of the application. For example, the recommendation engine 205 may recognize the programming language used to write the application 110, specific libraries used within the application, the development environment used to build the application, application programming interfaces (APIs) available to users, the size of the application, as well as other technical qualities. Moreover, the entity responsible for submitting the application (which may be the owner of the application, a licensee, or an end user) may provide additional business context information such as the required availability (e.g., 99.99% uptime), expected throughputs or transaction volumes, types of users who will operate the application, whether the application will be exposed to the public, the operating system in which the application executes, other applications with which the application interacts, and others. The recommendation engine 205 considers these technical and business characteristics and application metadata and determines a recommended assurance level. As described in more detail below, the assurance levels are used by the workflow constructor 210 to define an assessment workflow based on various testing techniques such as dynamic application testing, static binary testing, automated and manual pen testing, as well as manual code review.

Once a workflow has been established by the workflow constructor 210, a workflow engine 220 submits the application to the various testing engines. The results of these tests may include such items as error rates, specific occurrences of errors, compliance with industry standards, as well as other data. The assessment correlation engine 225 correlates the different test results received from the testing engines 130-145 and organizes them by application module and type of error, identifies duplicates, and recognizes correlations among different errors.

The analysis engine also may include a grading and reporting module 230 that includes a benchmark module 235, an anonymizer 240 and a flaw viewer 245. The benchmark module 235 compares the testing and analysis results for one or more applications having similar application profiles and/or metadata. This allows the application's owner to see how the application's architecture and security features measures up against other similar applications.

In some instances, the benchmark engine 235 calculates and compares test results at a more granular level. For example, an organization may wish to determine which of its developers (or development teams) produces the best code, the most secure applications, or is most prone to development errors. By including information such as the code author, development group, and/or other organizational information, the platform may be used within a company to identify core strengths and/or key weaknesses.

The anonymizer 240 removes company-specific information from the results and/or aggregates the results such that they may be provided to subscribers or the public in general. In this manner, the platform 105 provides global view of software development and implementation trends related to security and vulnerability testing across a wide spectrum of industries and technologies.

As an example, a bank may be developing a new customer service application that allows its clients to execute transactions via the Web. Based on the technology used to develop the application (e.g., Active Server Pages, java, PHP), the fact that the application is available to the general public, and the information transmitted is highly sensitive (account numbers, PINs, etc.), the assurance recommendation engine 205 may determine that this application be tested as fully as possible. Each testing engine will then process the application (either remotely or as received at the platform 105) and the results are correlated into a comprehensive assessment report. Once completed, project managers at the bank may log into the platform using secure IDs and passwords, biometric authentication, PKI techniques or other such methods and, using the flaw viewer 245, review and comment on any vulnerabilities identified during testing. On some cases, the project managers may also see how the application fared against similar applications submitted by other banks.

Regardless of the implementation, the method of implementing and distributing the various components of the platform is arbitrary. For example, in some implementations all components of the platform may be completely contained within an organization (e.g., within a firewall, accessible via a VPN or intranet) and available as an “on-demand” service as part of an overall development methodology. In other embodiments, the platform may be implemented as a web-based service available to numerous organizations that “subscribe” to the platform and are therefore able to subject their software applications to structured security assessment testing on an as-needed basis. Furthermore, various “anonymizing” or aggregation techniques can be used to remove or otherwise protect proprietary information and/or data that would identify the application owner. Assessment results from numerous applications across industries, technical platforms, application sizes, etc. can be extracted to provide cross-entity benchmarking data to platform subscribers. In addition, analysis of the assessment results and subsequent monitoring of the applications (for undetected security flaws or unexpected operational reactions to certain threats, for example) allow the platform 105, and specifically the workflow engine 220, to be refined and improved. By operating the platform 105 as a centralized yet secure resource for multiple entities, assessment data can be used for historical and industry benchmarking, as well as to upgrade the techniques used to determine assurance levels and built appropriate workflows.

In such cases, the need to securely transmit application code (both binary and source) to and from the platform 105 is crucial. One method for implementing the needed security measures is via digital rights management (DRM). In general, DRM refers to various access control technologies used by publishers and copyright holders to limit access to and/or usage of digital media or devices. Just as DRM is used to protect conventional copyrighted material (e.g., audio and video content), it may also be employed to protect source and binary code of an application as well the analysis and testing results generated by the platform 105. More specifically, a DRM packager 250 may be used to encrypt some or all of the application information and produce a key to decrypt the information. A DRM engine 255 executes the encryption and decryption functions that allow users to securely view application data via a remote device. Further operational and functional characteristics of DRM modules 250, 255 are set forth below.

Assessment and Recommendation

Referring now to FIG. 3, one embodiment of the assessment and recommendation techniques of the invention includes three phases—a data-collection phase, an assurance-level determination phase, and a workflow-build phase. More specifically, the data-collection phase includes collecting technical details (STEP 305) about the application such as the platform on which it will be built and/or implemented, the network topology over which it will operate, the language or languages used to develop the application, third-party applications or modules the application will interact with or use, the security environment in which the application will operate, as well as other application characteristics. In addition, the business context in which the application will operate is determined (STEP 310), and combined with the technical details to produce an application profile P. In one non-limiting example, some or all of the business factors identified in the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) (i.e., damage to reputation, financial loss or business liability, harm to business interests, unauthorized release of sensitive information, personal safety, civil liability and potential criminal violations) can be used as guidelines for measuring the security risks in light of the business context of the application. Each of the FIPS factors can be assigned a rating (e.g., as n/a, minimal, moderate or serious), and in some embodiments certain factors are weighted more than others according to relative importance, (e.g., as defined by a user or industry standards). For example, an application that processes healthcare data including personally identifiable information may accord a rating of “serious” to factors such as damage to reputation, liability, unauthorized release of sensitive information and criminal liability, but “n/a” for personal safety. In instances in which this analysis has previously been done and an assurance level already determined, that assurance level can be imported (STEP 315), and in some circumstances updated if necessary.

If an assurance level was provided with the application as part of the data collection phase (DECISION STEP 320), the analysis workflow can be built. Otherwise, the assurance recommendation engine reviews the application profile P and determines an appropriate assurance level (STEP 325). One approach for determining an appropriate assessment level is to consider the ratings assigned to each of the business context factors, and select an appropriate assurance level based on the highest rating. For example, if any of damage to reputation, financial loss, harm to business interests, release of sensitive information or civil or criminal violations are rated “serious,” the highest assessment level is recommended. If, however, all factors are either minimal or n/a except for, e.g., the “civil violations” factor (which is assigned a “moderate” rating), a lower but still relatively high assurance level is specified. Table 1 below summarizes one possible mapping of business impact factors and their ratings to recommended assessment levels.

TABLE 1 Assurance Level Profiles Assurance Level Impact Profiles Potential Business Impact Categories for Application Flaws AL2 AL3 AL4 AL5 1. Inconvenience, distress or damage to Min Mod Mod Serious standing or reputation 2. Financial loss or business liability Min Mod Mod Serious 3. Harm to business interests N/A Min Mod Serious 4. Unauthorized release of sensitive N/A Min Mod Serious information 5. Personal Safety N/A N/A Min Mod 6. Civil or criminal violations N/A Min Mod Serious

The recommended assurance level (and in some cases options to modify the level) can then be presented to the user (STEP 330), who selects the assurance level (STEP 335) for the particular application.

In the workflow build phase, varying combinations of analysis techniques can be used to adapt a security review workflow to the particular technical and business criteria of an application, with one key goal being the reduction of false negatives, i.e., undetected security flaws. Different types of analysis (e.g., automated, manual, static, dynamic, etc.) have different false negative rates because they are either unable to detect particular security defects (100% false negative rate) or they have varying levels of false negatives depending on the threat. As a result, introducing additional security analysis processes into the workflow lowers the false negative rate. But multiple analysis techniques require the expenditure of more time and resources, and so should be integrated into the workflow when they contribute meaningfully to the overall reliability of the analysis or to lower the false negative rate below a predetermined threshold.

In one implementation, the workflow W is constructed (STEP 340) by selecting different analysis techniques from the following table. The higher the desired assurance level, the more analysis techniques are recommended. The analysis techniques are arranged according to the time and resources estimated to perform the analysis, thereby minimizing costs and only introducing more stringent analyses when the impact of a security event is greater. Once the workflow is determined and approved by the user, the various analysis techniques are performed. Table 2 below illustrates how various analysis techniques may be used against applications with different assurance levels.

TABLE 2 Analysis/Assurance Level Mapping Analysis Assurance Levels Techniques AL1 AL2 AL3 AL4 AL5 Automated None     Static Analysis Required Automated    Dynamic Analysis Manual   Dynamic Analysis Manual Code  Review

Chaining and Correlation of Analysis Results

Combining multiple types of application analysis generally produces a broader application vulnerability profile. For example, combining binary static analysis and dynamic analysis techniques provides increased accuracy and more informative analysis results because the outcome of a binary static analysis can be used as input into a secondary dynamic analysis. The dynamic analysis process itself produces two results: a dynamic assessment and a static coverage map. The static coverage map contains each dynamic path used to reach a flaw detected during the static analysis.

The static results, dynamic results, and static coverage map are used to produce a report of static flaws not pathed (lowest priority), static flaws with a dynamic path (high priority), and dynamic flaws not related to the portions of the application that have been statically analyzed (e.g., environment/configuration). The data flow and control flow graphs generated by static analysis may also be used to compute a dynamic test case for each identified flaw. In such cases, input data and an input vector may be generated that will recreate and retest each flaw dynamically to determine if the flaws have been addressed. More specifically, and with reference to FIG. 4, the following steps can be performed to combine results from both the static and dynamic testing:

-   -   STEP 405: Run the binary static analysis, recording the binary         offset of a potential defect within the tested executable. The         results R may be stored and/or used as input into the pen and         dynamic testing.     -   STEP 410: Instrument the binary within a runtime test         environment in preparation for the dynamic test. A correlation         agent is executed on the same computer as the binary will         execute. The correlation agent loads the binary and sets debug         breakpoints or shims at each binary offset at which potential         defect was detected during the binary static analysis. The         results R′ may be stored and/or used as input into the dynamic         analysis.     -   STEP 415: Run the dynamic analysis. The dynamic analysis uses         general test cases to find new flaws and specific test cases to         retest flaws identified during the static analysis. During the         analysis, the dynamic tester listens for call backs from the         correlation agent running on the computer under test. If it         receives a call back it records the time and information sent by         the agent. During the dynamic test, if a debug breakpoint or         shim is hit, the correlation agent sends a callback to the         dynamic tester with information about the breakpoint or shim         offset within the executable.     -   STEP 420: Determine, using a correlation process, which dynamic         test inputs correlate to which potential defects found during         binary static analysis by using the callback information.     -   STEP 425: Create a summary S from the correlated results U. If         defects were found by both static and dynamic analysis then         those defects are reported as high confidence.

Continuous Application Assurance

In some embodiments, continuous application assurance provides for automatic re-analysis of an application. Re-analysis is triggered by changes in the external application environment (e.g., threat space, business intelligence, detected attacks) and/or the implementation of enhanced analysis capabilities (e.g., a new scan has been added to an analysis workflow to detect new class of vulnerability). An intelligent re-analysis decision can be made by taking into account factors such as application profile, previous vulnerability assessment results, and the type of change (e.g., threat and/or scan capability).

A decision to initiate a re-analysis can be based, for example, on an application's technological profile, metadata describing the application's functionality, the deployment environment of the application, new information about vulnerabilities that may affect the application, and/or increases in a likelihood of a threat. External data feeds and internal scan capabilities database are used to trigger rescans of the application. For example, suppose a new vulnerability is discovered in how data is transmitted and processed using XML and Web Services that did not exist when the application was first scanned. All applications having metadata that includes both XML and Web Services are identified, and the relevant analysis workflows are updated with the new scan information and re-processed.

In one embodiment, with reference to FIG. 5, the initial steps for an application-specific or customer-driven rescan include:

-   -   STEP 505: Define an application profile P for a web-based         application, e.g., a J2EE-based retail brokerage application for         a Fortune 100 financial services company, deployed with an         Apache web front-end and backed by an Apache Tomcat application         server and an Oracle database. In addition to the web interface         aimed at consumers, the application has a Web Services API for         exchanging data and enabling partners to conduct transactions.     -   STEP 510: Define rescan conditions based on the application's         attack profile. In this example, any new attack vectors against         Java applications or XML (for the Web Services interface) as         well as attacks specifically targeting infrastructure         components—Apache, Tomcat, and Oracle would constitute a rescan         condition.     -   STEP 515: Upload the application A to the platform and perform         the initial binary analysis to model the application's data         flows and control flows.

In addition to single application rescans as described above, a platform-wide rescan may also be initiated in which multiple applications (possibly owned and/or operated by unrelated entities) are rescanned. In addition, application owners may “subscribe” to a periodic and/or event driven rescan service that continuously determines if rescans are necessary and if so, performs the appropriate analysis. More specifically, and referring to FIG. 6, one method for implementing a global rescan includes the following steps:

-   -   STEP 605: A new method for attacking XML interfaces is         discovered and threat metadata M and general remediation         information T are imported into the threat database.     -   STEP 610: When a new attack vector is discovered, security         researchers and developers create a new scan that detects         instances of the vector. The new scan capability is classified,         codified, and is added to the threat database 150.     -   STEP 615: Generate and store a re-scan change event in the         database.     -   STEP 620: Determine which applications are identified for         continuous application assurance, and perform the following         steps for each such application.     -   STEP 625: The stimulus analysis evaluation engine 215 uses the         application profile P and the external analysis stimulus 115 to         determine whether or not the application needs to be         re-analyzed. For example, in the case of the XML interface         threat noted above, web applications that expose an XML-based         Web Services API are rescanned.     -   DECISION STEP 630: If the application is to be rescanned, move         to Step 635, otherwise check to determine if additional         applications are queued for rescan.     -   STEP 635: Build the analysis workflow W by comparing the         external stimulus to the application profile. In some cases, it         may not be necessary to re-run all of the existing scans, and         instead only run the new scans that apply to the particular         application.     -   STEP 640: Insert the application into the job queue Q along with         its custom analysis workflow W.     -   STEP 645: Repeat the process for each application configured for         continuous application assurance. For each application, either         it is deemed not in need of a re-scan, or it is added to the job         queue along with the corresponding workflow.

Remote Application Analysis

In some embodiments in which a static binary analysis is performed remotely (e.g., within the security assessment platform separate from the operational environment in which the application is implemented or where its source code is stored), the results of the binary analysis can be linked to the original application source. These results are typically stored and managed securely on within the platform 105, but can be viewed by a remote user together with local application source code using a viewer application.

Referring to FIG. 7, one method for providing simultaneous viewing of identified application flaws along with the application source code that caused the flaws can include the following steps:

-   -   STEP 705: Upload application metadata and application binaries A         from a local system to the assessment platform for analysis.     -   STEP 710: Initiate static binary analysis for the application         and store the results at the central location. As part of the         analysis, application flaws identified in the analysis results R         include references to application source code file and line         number obtained using debug symbol information during the         analysis.     -   STEP 715: An application user or owner logs into the platform         using a remote application and views the list of flaws stored in         the platform.     -   STEP 720: The user selects one or more individual flaws to view,         and in response a viewer program 245 in the remote application         locates and opens the associated local source code file A and         navigates to the relevant line number.     -   STEP 725: The process iterates though all flaws or, in some         cases, only those flaws identified as critical by the user.

Peer Benchmarking

In some embodiments, the platform 105 provides a common repository for application metadata as well as assessment results for numerous applications across a variety of technical and business implementations and/or of known quality. By maintaining such a database, the platform can provide cross-application reporting that compares a particular application (or family of applications) to others in the same industry, to applications that use the same technology, and/or based on other criteria rendering one class of application relevant to another. In some instances, assessment results may be compared to those generated by a template application to determine the quality of the application as compared to an application of known quality. Such reporting (referred to as “peer benchmarking”) allows an organization to gauge the effectiveness of its own security initiatives relative to other companies in the same industry. Because the assessment platform provides consistent and repeatable security-analysis techniques, a common assessment vocabulary and a large sample size, the information provided to users has a greater global relevance than individual application assessment data.

Referring to FIG. 8, one method for providing peer benchmarking reporting to users of the platform includes the following steps:

-   -   STEP 805: The application profile P is specified based on the         type of application and the business context. One example is a         customer-facing financial services web application written in         java.     -   STEP 710: The application is analyzed using a consistent,         repeatable process as described above.     -   STEP 815: A standardized analysis summary S is generated by the         reporting engine 230 that contains an overall security score and         other security metrics.     -   STEP 820: The analysis summary is anonymized so that the summary         cannot be traced back to the original application, the         organization that created the application, or the organization         that submitted the application for analysis. The anonymous         summary Y may be loaded into the assessment results database.

Once the results database 155 is populated with assessment results from a sufficient number of applications, users can specify and view various reports. Some reports, for example, can indicate how, statistically, an application compares to its “peers” by indicating the percentage of all assessed applications (or some subset thereof) that resulted in fewer potential vulnerabilities. In one example, with reference to FIG. 9, the benchmark reporting process can include the following steps:

-   -   STEP 805: The application profile P is specified based, for         example, on the type of application and/or the business context.     -   STEP 710: The application is analyzed using a consistent,         repeatable process of determining, building and executing         appropriate tests as described above.     -   STEP 815: A standardized analysis summary S is generated by the         reporting engine 230 that contains an overall security score and         other security metrics.     -   STEP 905: The assessment results database 155 is queried using         the specified application profile(s). In some embodiments, a         first query can be executed looking for exact or very close         matches to the profiles. For example, if the application profile         is “customer-facing financial services web application written         in java” and the database contains a sufficient number of         assessment for a meaningful peer benchmark to be compiled,         (e.g., n>5), the application results R are compared to the         anonymous results Y by, for example, placing the subject         application in a designated quartile or decile. If the number of         results is insufficient, the query parameters may be expanded to         include results from applications that have similar (but not         necessarily exact) profiles until a desired result set is         obtained.     -   STEP 910: The peer benchmark data B may be displayed in tabular         and/or graphical format (e.g., a histogram) showing, for         example, the count of similar applications that scored in each         quartile. Application profiles of the anonymous applications can         also be shown along with the summary report.

Secure Delivery of Assessment Data

The vulnerability assessment process consumes and produces data that is considered highly confidential by most organizations. For example, input into the analysis phase can include application source code, application binaries and debug symbols, and/or environment data (URLs, usernames/passwords, site maps). Because of the sensitive nature of this data, and because they indicate potentially exploitable security flaws in the associated application, provision is desirably made to keep the analysis results confidential. In instances in which the platform is operated as a centralized, offsite service, the need to secure this sensitive information becomes even more crucial. In various embodiments, the DRM packager 250 and engine 255 provide the following capabilities:

-   -   A secure “container” file that contains the assessment data in a         structured and encrypted form that can only be produced and         consumed by the DRM technology employed by the platform 105.     -   An API or application that transforms structured data into a         secure container and specifies the access control rules for the         contents of the secure container.     -   Secure container content access to a known/trusted application         when the access control rules are satisfied (typically specified         by the presence of a DRM license bound to the user and client         hardware).     -   An access token that provides access granting data (e.g., time,         machine hardware id, username, IP address, license id, etc.) to         allow access to structured data within the secure containers.

Using the DRM engine 255, steps may be taken to protect the initial data provided as input to the assessment process as well as the analysis results. Once the submission data has been packaged into a secure container, access is granted to the trusted analysis application for the duration of the analysis. Analysis results can then be packaged into a secure container for remote viewing. A trusted secure viewer application (in conjunction with the DRM Client engine and access token) ensures that the analysis results are viewed by authorized users and prevents unauthorized copying via printer, cut/paste, print screen, or file copy.

Referring to FIG. 10, the following steps provide the secure receipt and analysis of application source files and assessment data to and within the platform:

-   -   STEP 805: Create a remote application profile P using the         application metadata provided by the user and/or identified from         the application itself.     -   STEP 1005: Identify the input data D to the application         analysis, either manually by a user or automatically by the         analysis engine (e.g., a list of binary files, a list of source         code files, etc.)     -   STEP 1010: Place the submission data D in a secure container         using the DRM packager 250.     -   STEP 1015: Submit the secure container to the platform for         analysis as described above.     -   STEP 1050: Using the DRM engine 255, issue a limited-use DRM         license to the analysis engine to allow access to the analysis         input data.     -   STEP 710: The analysis engine 125 performs the prescribed         analyses using the DRM engine 255 and issued license to access         input data, and the output is stored in a secure database.

Referring to FIG. 11, once the analysis data is stored in the database, it can then be packaged and transmitted using similar DRM techniques and the following steps:

-   -   STEP 1105: A user selects an application for which he wishes to         view the analysis results R from a remote site.     -   STEP 1110: The analysis results R are placed in a secure         container using the DRM packager 250 for viewing.     -   STEP 1115: The secure container is downloaded to a local machine         from the platform for viewing by the user.     -   STEP 1020: A limited-use license is granted to the local machine         to allow viewing of analysis results contained in the secure         container. The license limits use to the target machine, the         user, or in some embodiments, a combination of the two.     -   STEP 1025: The secure viewer displays the analysis results from         the secure container. The data is persistently protected and         operations like cut/paste/screen dump are disabled.

The invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting on the invention described herein. 

1. A method for assessing vulnerabilities of software applications, the method comprising: providing a plurality of software assessment testing engines, each configured to perform vulnerability tests on a software application; receiving technical characteristics of the software application; receiving business context information relating to the software application; determining a preferred assurance level for the software application based at least in part on the technical characteristics and business context information; and defining a vulnerability test plan for the software application based on the preferred assurance level, wherein the vulnerability test plan comprises one or more of the vulnerability tests.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the workflow module is further configured to execute the vulnerability test plan, thereby producing assessment test results.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the vulnerability test plan comprises two or more vulnerability tests, and further comprising: performing the two or more vulnerability tests; and correlating the results of the two or more vulnerability tests to identify related faults in the software application.
 4. The method of claim 2 further comprising storing the results of the one or more vulnerability tests in a database.
 5. The method of claim 4 further comprising limiting access to portions of the vulnerability test results based on user authentication credentials.
 6. The method of claim 2 further comprising removing information used to identify the source of the software application from the vulnerability test results, thereby rendering the vulnerability test results anonymous.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising providing statistical analysis reports based on the anonymous vulnerability test results.
 8. The method of claim 2 further comprising encrypting portions of the vulnerability test results.
 9. The method of claim 2 further comprising applying a digital rights management process against the vulnerability test results, thereby limiting distribution and use of the test results to specified users.
 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving application assessment input data prior to performing the vulnerability tests.
 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising applying a digital rights management process against the application assessment input data, thereby limiting distribution and use of the vulnerability test results to specified users.
 12. The method of claim 2 further comprising receiving a trigger event causing the execution of the vulnerability tests.
 13. The method of claim 8 further comprising receiving a request to transmit the encrypted vulnerability test results over a public network, and providing the encrypted assessment test results in response thereto.
 14. The method of claim 2 further comprising receiving a request to transmit the encrypted vulnerability test results over a private network, and providing the assessment test results in response thereto.
 15. The method of claim 1 wherein the technical characteristics of the software application comprise one or more of application source code, binary files, debug symbols, application data, uniform resource locators, user names or passwords.
 16. A security assessment platform for assessing vulnerabilities of software applications, the platform comprising: a communications server for receiving technical characteristics of a software application and business context information relating to the software application; at least one testing engine for performing a plurality of vulnerability tests; and a testing workflow module for: defining an assurance level for the application based at least in part on the technical characteristics and business context information; defining a vulnerability test plan for the application based on the assurance level, the vulnerability test plan comprising two or more vulnerability tests to be performed by the testing engine; correlating the results of the two or more vulnerability tests to identify related faults in the application.
 17. The platform of claim 16 further comprising a database module for storing the results of the two or more vulnerability tests.
 18. The platform of claim 16 further comprising a benchmarking and reporting module for removing proprietary information from the results of the vulnerability tests and providing statistical reporting of the results of the vulnerability tests in comparison to other software applications.
 19. The platform of claim 16 wherein the testing workflow module further comprises an abstraction layer configured to communicate with the one or more testing engines.
 20. The platform of claim 17 further comprising a digital rights management engine for applying a digital rights management process against application assessment input data, thereby limiting distribution and use of the vulnerability test results to specified users.
 21. A method for assessing the quality of a software application, the method comprising: receiving technical characteristics of a software application; receiving business context information relating to the software application; defining a vulnerability test plan for the software application based on the technical characteristics and business context information, the vulnerability test plan specifying a plurality of vulnerability tests; executing, on at least one software assessment testing engine, the vulnerability tests of the test plan; storing results of the vulnerability tests in a data storage device; and assessing a quality metric of the software application by comparing the results of the vulnerability tests with vulnerability test results performed on other software applications of known quality and having technical characteristics and business context information in common with the software application.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein the vulnerability tests performed on the other software applications include or consist of the vulnerability tests specified by the vulnerability test plan. 